Belgium’s team on paper is arguably one of the best in the tournament but the European nation have been guilty of not living up to increasing expectations in previous major competitions.

Any side with star men such as Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard in it must be given the utmost respect and the Diables Rouges forward line will be a handful for every side they come up against in Russia.

Add to this plenty of midfield options and a resolute defensive unit and Belgium should be considered one of the frontrunners to taste success this summer.

While the personnel is there for the men in red to dominate Group G and progress through to the latter stages of the tournament, much will depend on Martinez’s ability to find balance among all his star names.

2018 World Cup Group G Underdogs – Panama

If there was ever an underdog in a major tournament, Panama must be deemed as it.

The modest nation have made their first-ever World Cup and few will expect them to do anything other than be soundly beaten in Russia and eliminated at the first time of asking.

However, while stars in the England and Belgian squads are used to playing in big games for their clubs, this is the pinnacle of the Panama players’ careers – and will provide endless motivation.

Not a lot will be known about the Panamanians, who will hope they can use this to their advantage and defy the odds to cause and upset or two.

2018 World Cup Group G most-important game – England vs Belgium

With this fixture to take place in the final day of the group stage, this may well be a clash to decide the pool winners.

While qualification to the knockout rounds will be the goal for both teams ahead of the tournament, recording a morale-boosting victory against quality opposition in this clash could be the ideal springboard for the victor to progress deep into the competition.

England will know the Belgians well given the players’ club allegiances, with realistically as many as seven or eight of Roberto Martinez’s starting XI playing Premier League football in the recently concluded domestic campaign.

Both teams will want to win the group and potentially avoid Group F favourites Colombia in the round of 16, but the game should be a real spectacle and an indicator of whether either can be realistically deemed as threats to win the tournament.

2018 World Cup Group G player to look out for – Dries Mertens

While the Belgium attacking unit boasts star names such as De Bruyne, Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, Napoli forward Dries Mertens should not be overlooked.

The versatile attacker is likely to start as one of two attacking midfielders in a 3-4-2-1 formation and is coming into the tournament in fantastic form.

Mertens has scored 46 Serie A goals in the last two seasons, with his pace and technique a key reason for Napoli’s revival.

If opponents focus on the higher-profile members of the Belgium attack, the 31-year-old will be devastating if given space.

2018 World Cup Group G Prediction

It is hard to fathom anything other than Belgium and England progressing to the round of 16, with the Belgians probable group winners.

Tunisia will hope to record a scalp in their opener against the Brits, but could be outclassed; however they should beat Panama to finish third.

About The Author

I am a freelance football writer from Northern Ireland, who is currently based in Western Australia. I have a degree in Media Studies and a love for the beautiful game. Follow me on Twitter at @90minsonline.